Drives Need for New Programs and Space
Biotechnology Center addition will support statewide growth
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 9, 2009 – To continue the state
life science industry's record-setting growth rate, the North Carolina
Biotechnology Center, with the help of statewide partners, is building
an addition to its Research Triangle Park headquarters.
Construction on the $10.4 million addition, planned for several years,
was kick-started with a $1 million gift from the Biogen Idec
Foundation's Transformational Grants in Science Education initiative,
and with leadership gifts from the Duke Energy Foundation, PPD and the
Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc.
"For twenty-five years, the state has invested in biotechnology
research, education and business development through Biotechnology
Center funding programs and collaborations," said Robert A. Ingram,
Vice Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and chairman of the
Center's Building Committee.
"Leadership by the Center created a thriving industry with broader
needs, and we are pleased to move forward with building the
infrastructure to allow the Center to extend that leadership."
From 2001 to 2006, the state's biotechnology-based industry grew 18.6
percent – three times the national rate and five times the rate of the
state's private sector.
"This industry contributes $45.8 billion to the state's economy each
year, a testament to the investment this Center leverages with state
dollars," said Arthur M. Pappas, chairman of the Center's board of
directors and managing partner of the venture-capital firm Pappas
Ventures.
"Investing in expansion now is essential for the state to benefit from
the projected high growth in life science research, development and
job creation over the next 10 years."
Since the Biotechnology Center opened in 1984, the industry has grown
from a handful of companies to more than 520 companies and almost
60,000 jobs with an average salary of more than $69,000.
"We have the potential to create an additional 65,000 to 70,000 jobs
by 2020 as we develop new applications of biotechnology right here in
North Carolina," said E. Norris Tolson, president and chief executive
officer of the Center.
The addition will support a number of new job-creation initiatives in
biotechnology leadership, entrepreneurship, K-12 education, workforce
training, business development and university research programs. In
addition, the expanded facility will continue to play host to an
estimated 35,000 visitors annually.
The Center through its building committee chaired by Ingram and co-
chaired by former Gov. Jim Martin is working to leverage the public
and private funds for the expansion. Gifts to initiate the project
came from:
• The Biogen Idec Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality
of people's lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities
where Biogen Idec operates. It places a special emphasis on innovative
ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to
consider science careers. Biogen Idec is a global biotechnology firm
with manufacturing and patient services operations in RTP;
• The Duke Energy Foundation, which supports community vitality, the
environment and energy efficiency, and economic development. Duke
Energy and the Center partner on business-development efforts;
• PPD, a leading global contract research organization with more than
10,000 employees, including 1,400 in Research Triangle Park and 1,500
at its corporate headquarters in Wilmington. The companyprovides
discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound
partnering programs; and
• The Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc. (TUCASI),
which owns the land in Research Triangle Park that is home to the
Center's headquarters and other institutes that promote Triangle
university collaboration. TUCASI brings together the scientific minds
at the heart of RTP's success.
Construction of the four-story addition is being managed by general
contractor SKANSKA, which expects to employ as many as 200 people in
the project. The 20,000-square-foot building will be completed in the
fall of 2010.
Charlotte architectural firm Perkins + Will, which designed the
original building, created the plans for the addition. The expansion
will carry a LEED Silver designation for excellence in sustainable
design.
The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation
supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-
term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting
biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy
statewide.
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